Single gun safe

[PaisteMage]

I have a big safe and want a small safe to fit in my bedside table.
A one gun safe.

I thought of the Biometrics safe or the ones where you put your hand in the print and tap out a combination.

I have one friend who SWEARs by his biometric safe.

Another says those little gun vaults are ok, and cheaper.

I have read LOTS of reviews of the gun vaults, the non biometric types, failing more than once.

Any advice would be helpful.

 

[CB900F]

Paiste;

I'm a recently retired locksmith who specialized in safes. I could still buy anything on the market I cared to. I also have a dedicated firearms safe, but I don't have a bedside one. I don't feel the need; I'm either sleeping on it, have it on me, or it's in the immediate vicinity when I'm showering.

900F

 

[Gottahaveone]

I have an exceptionally heavy/bulky endtable that I use as a nightstand. I have a push button Gunvault bolted to the top of it to secure my bedroom pistol when I'm away from the house.

I was also worried about needing the pistol suddenly and finding that the batteries had died, or the electronic lock had failed. Yes, it has a backup key but I don't usually keep my keyring in the bedroom at night, and looking for a key kinda negates having a "fast response" pistol handy.

My solution is to open the lockbox every night as I am going to bed. Takes about 3 seconds and if there is a failure of some sort, no big deal. I went to open it about 6 months after I installed it, and got an anemic sounding click instead of the expected opening. Went and got the key, replaced the cheap battery it shipped with for a fresh Duracell, and went to bed. Nearly a year later and it's still going strong......

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

For those of you who have electronic locks I suggest the following; get in the habit of replacing the batterys on a date that sticks with you, ie your birthday, 4th of July, etc. Replace all of 'em at the same time annually with good batterys & you will reduce those "Awww" moments to a minimum. Cheap insurance.

900F

 

[jbj]

Fella's;

For those of you who have electronic locks I suggest the following; get in the habit of replacing the batterys on a date that sticks with you, ie your birthday, 4th of July, etc. Replace all of 'em at the same time annually with good batterys & you will reduce those "Awww" moments to a minimum. Cheap insurance.

900F

Groundhog's Day. It's not like you were going to a BBQ that day

 

[FAS1]

One with a pushbutton mechanical lock. No electronics.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

One with a pushbutton mechanical lock. No electronics.

Fort Knoxx makes a rather beefy steel mechanical lock one for around $200.

Beware the inexpensive electronic combo one gun safes. Forbes online had a documentary within last several years showing kids lift them and drop them. The jolt was enough to open them. If I hadn't seen the video I wouldn't have believed it.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Paiste;

I'm a recently retired locksmith who specialized in safes. I could still buy anything on the market I cared to. I also have a dedicated firearms safe, but I don't have a bedside one. I don't feel the need; I'm either sleeping on it, have it on me, or it's in the immediate vicinity when I'm showering.

900F

What brands of regular full sized and smaller one gun safes would you recommend. Which would you avoid?

 

[CB900F]

Sheepdog;

I've put my money where my typing fingers are: Graffunder.

900F

 

[Resist Evil]

Batteries? Fear not. Replace all household device batteries--battery back-up alarm clocks, wall clocks, smoke detectors, pistol safe, etc., on Easter weekend. It is simple to remind oneself at the annual time of renewal and resurrection.

Well, it works for me.

 

[FAS1]

Fort Knoxx makes a rather beefy steel mechanical lock one for around $200.

A good choice with a 7ga door and a 10ga body.

A step up would be the FAS1 Safe with 7ga door and body that presents your holstered handgun to you when opened. Still has room for a second handgun and a few magazines.

V-line is a little thinner steel than the Fort Knox. I think it is 16ga. All should be bolted to something heavy or solid.

 

[herrwalther]

Bedside handgun safe is a Winchester eVault. Gave it my own torture test with hammers and dropping, didn't pop open without the code so it works for me. Uses AC power with battery backup=less replacing batteries.

 

[MaterDei]

I have one of these, it works great.

 

[PaisteMage]

Thanks guys.

The notion to get a box with a lock is a great one, especially after advice from someone who has experience in the safe world.

If I DID get something with batteries, yeah i would change them on a cycle.

Ill look into the E vault. My Army friend has a biometric safe he swears by. He is the type of guy with guns in various parts of the house. He also doesnt have small children.

If my kids were grown Id have a gun in the bathroom(damn Godfather).

Thanks for your suggestions as always.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I bought a fas1 safe for my single open gun and really like it. It is easy to use, mechanical and I don't worry about electronics going dead.